Italian graduation traditions: laurel wreath, ribbons, confetti and favours

The laurel wreath is the defining symbol of an Italian graduation: it comes from classical antiquity, when laurel crowned poets and victors — it is the very root of the word «laureato» (graduate). It is worn after the official proclamation, never before.

It applies to every level: bachelor’s, master’s and PhD. There is no rule reserving it for the master’s degree — at most, some choose a simpler wreath for the bachelor’s and a richer one for the final title. Friends or family usually buy it, the day before or the same morning: make sure it is fresh, as dry laurel crumbles in photos.

White berries or woven flowers are an aesthetic choice with no codified meaning — unlike the ribbon, which does follow a code: the faculty colours.

The wreath’s bow — and the ribbon tied around confetti bags — follows the same academic colour tradition as thesis covers. Red remains the safe choice: it is the colour of graduation itself and always works. If you want the «right» colour, this is the map (the full version, university by university, is in our thesis colours guide).

Graduation confetti — Italian sugared almonds — are red, whatever the faculty: red is the colour of the finish line. Italian tradition calls for five per bag, an odd, indivisible number — the same code as weddings, where each almond carries a wish.

The bag is tied with a ribbon (the colour map above comes in handy) and a small tag with the graduate’s name and date: that detail is what turns a bag of almonds into a proper favour.

A graduation favour is not compulsory, but it is the most elegant way to thank your guests. The favourites are the useful ones that don’t end up in a drawer: small succulents, personalised bookmarks with a quote or a photo, desk objects, small faculty-themed gifts.

Whatever you choose, the personalised tag is what signs it: name, degree course and defence date. Ours are configured online in three steps — an academic icon (mortarboard, laurel wreath, thesis) or your own image, hammered Modigliani paper in white or ivory, free text — with a live preview: packs of 50 (€ 39), 100 (€ 59) or 200 (€ 99), ribbon hole +€ 5. Details on the invitations and tags page.

Flowers are handed over after the proclamation, on the way out: before the defence they would only be a burden (and bad luck, by Italian superstition). The classic bouquet is red roses or sunflowers; many pick flowers in the faculty colour, echoing wreath and ribbon.

As for gifts, the safe routes: a serious pen for signing first contracts, a book tied to their field, an experience. And if you want something truly personal, a well-printed photo — the proclamation, the cap toss — on fine art paper, framed, beats a thousand objects. One more idea for the graduate themselves: an extra copy of the thesis in a hard cover for the parents. It is the gift that stays on the bookshelf forever.

For the graduate there is one rule: sober elegance. Jacket or suit for him, a suit or composed dress for her — the defence is an exam before a committee, not a cocktail party. Best to avoid jeans and sneakers even at informal universities: the photos last.

For guests: elegant, but one notch below the graduate. For parents the classic suit always works; no colour is forbidden, though total white is best left to weddings.

• 2–3 weeks before — book the venue or set up the house; order the favour tags and any party invitations.
• 1 week before — red confetti and ribbons (5 per bag); confirm the guest count; order the thesis printing if you haven’t yet — it is ready in 2 hours, but don’t leave it to the last minute.
• 1–2 days before — fresh laurel wreath with the right ribbon colour; collect favours and tags.
• On the day — flowers after the proclamation; wreath on only once you are a graduate; favours at the end of the party.